Animal shelter seeks volunteers, donations
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Progress continues being made toward establishing an animal shelter for Coosa County, with the organization now primarily seeking volunteers and donations to get it up and running.
Dennis Hill, who helped spearhead the effort, has issued a call out to volunteers. That is the next primary goal for the group.
Hill said they will have a volunteers and interest meeting on Tuesday, April 26, at 6 p.m. at the E-911 board room in Rockford. People are asked to “just show up,” and individuals are encouraged to attend whether to volunteer in any capacity or just to get updates regarding the shelter.
The shelter now has recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit status, meaning it can also accept donations and that those donations are tax deductible.
Hill also reported that it is now officially the Coosa County Animal Shelter, with the name now being incorporated.
In other updates regarding the shelter, the second Board of Directors meeting was held Monday. During that meeting the board laid out its initial plans for fundraising.
Additionally, the board welcomed two new staff members, fundraising coordinator Pam Hannah and volunteer coordinator Joy Morris. They join Debbie Hill and Leslie Hardy on the staff.
At that meeting Dr. Chad Baxley, who serves on the board, stated that it will be important for the businesses and citizens of Coosa County, possibly along with county officials, to step up during the donation drive to make the shelter a reality.
Following that board meeting, Hill said they are officially kicking off the donation drive to help get things moving with the animal shelter. The goal is $70,000, which would cover startup costs for the building, supplies and two years of operating expenses.
Hill said they want to have money set aside for future operating expenses to ensure the ongoing success of the shelter and know that they can keep the doors open.
Going forward he said that they will probably have one major fundraising drive annually. They would then potentially also have smaller fundraisers throughout the year.
Hill said they are looking forward to working with Debi Stover and the high school for possible fundraising efforts and especially for volunteers. High school students are required to have a set number of community service volunteer hours each year, so volunteering with the shelter could help meet that requirement.
The shelter now has an account at First Bank in Rockford and is accepting donations. Any tax-deductible donations can be made payable to the Coosa County Animal Shelter and sent to 5520 County Road 41; Sylacauga, AL 35151.
The shelter is also looking into establishing a way to accept donations electronically, such as through Venmo, Go Fund Me, or something similar.
Additionally, the shelter has established a Facebook page for future updates and to share information. It can be found by searching for Coosa County Animal Shelter or at www.facebook.com/dogsandcats41.
Stay tuned for another update following the April 26 informational meeting for volunteers and those interested in helping.
